Escaping Midnight (Stand Alone Tales Book 8) Read online

  The breath whooshed out of her lungs, and he kissed her, starting a slow, devastating rhythm of thrusts that was unfamiliar and, yet, was what her body had been craving.

  Their lips connected, parted, and connected again as they rocked together until he groaned and shook before thrusting into her hard, and he held himself as deep as he could go.

  Her hands were still caught by his, and he caught his breath and then kissed her softly.

  He withdrew from her and moved to one side, turning her so that she faced the panel of windows, and he snuggled against her back.

  He moved around behind her until he lifted her right leg and slid into her again. This time, his hand roamed over her while he thrust slowly; his lips caressed her neck and cheek, turning her head to kiss her as he stroked her clit.

  She felt the tension in her body rapidly climbing again, and she hissed through her teeth when her body clasped him and milked him slowly.

  He held her tight and shook in response.

  Adua breathed deeply, and the scent of sex was unmistakable. She slowly relaxed in his embrace. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

  He was smiling, she could feel it against her skin. “Still nervous?”

  “Um. No?” She wasn’t sure. Her body was sending a wave of satisfied signals and only a few twinges. He was still inside her.

  “Good.” He settled her against him, and he remained at her back. A gesture from him and a sheet lifted from the foot of the bed and floated over them, settling lightly against their skin.

  She was both energized and exhausted. Adua could feel his heartbeat against her back, and with his arms around her, she drifted off.

  He woke her twice during the night for a slow and leisurely coupling. Waking without him was a surprise, but the light was showing her that, once again, she had slept most of the day.

  She groaned and sat up. In the early dawn hours, Ledock had used his mouth to mark her up, and now, she had a low necklace of vivid purple going from one shoulder, across the top of her breasts, and back up the other shoulder. “What a twit.”

  She chuckled and went to the bathing room, definitely feeling the need for the bath. It wasn’t filled with rose petals, but it was warm. She used the soaps that were on offer, and when she got her hair loose, she scrubbed it and rinsed it. The luxury of being able to soak in water was her favourite thing about this place. Well... second favourite.

  She smiled and got out of the tub, wrapping herself and her hair in soft cloth.

  She located a brush and brushed out her hair until it was a flat curtain. It would bounce up into ripples, but that was her dad’s contribution to her genes.

  When she was dry and relatively tidy, she went looking for something to wear. Another wrap dress made of a dozen layers had been placed on a stand at some point, and nearby was the last of her nuts. Or orbs, she supposed. Her gift from her mother was waiting.

  She remembered dressing from the day before and tied the wrapped robe on, putting the wide sash across her abdomen and tying it in place.

  The orb was tucked back where it had rested the day before, and she walked to the window overlooking the garden.

  She touched the window with her hand as she watched Ledock and a party of elves walk the path. He was already dressed in his evening wear, which she guessed meant that he had left her a moment before she woke.

  There was a couple who was speaking to him, and he was answering seriously, pausing to take the woman’s hand to kiss it.

  She watched as the group resumed their walk and looked around for something to eat. The food on a tray gave off the scent of the dosed fruit that she had recognized from the night before. She was going to have to go looking. She would stay away from the king and his guests; they looked like their conversation was serious.

  * * * *

  Ledock looked at Lord Norem and Lady Dahlia. They both remained as youthful as the moment they had met. It gave him some encouragement as to the future of himself and Adua.

  Lord Norem was still frowning as they walked through the gardens. “So, you are telling me that my granddaughter is your lover.”

  “I have announced my intentions.” He smiled. “In front of two hundred people.”

  Lady Dahlia looked much more amused by the situation. “Well, that is appropriate. Did you wait the three days?”

  Ledock felt his cheeks heat slightly. “Yes. It was... difficult.”

  Norem grimaced. “I am going to eviscerate Lord Nelwyn. He told us the child didn’t survive. There was no reason for us to return to the area.”

  Dahlia held his arm, and he relaxed slightly at her touch. Ledock looked at the small motion, and he chuckled inwardly at the familiarity of the motion and how he reacted when Adua touched him.

  Dahlia asked him, “So, what is her name? I have heard three since I have entered your castle.”

  “She has chosen Adua as her call name, but her birth name was Elladualian.”

  Norem sighed. “My mother’s name.”

  Dahlia swallowed. “Is my daughter buried in the village?”

  “No, Adua dragged her toward the forest for burial. Your daughter’s tree is lovely and gold all year round.”

  They held each other’s hands, and Ledock saw their mourning and hope. Dahlia said, “Can you take us?”

  “It might be outside the barrier at this time of day. I am still bound by the restriction laid on me.”

  Norem nodded. “I had nearly forgotten. So, that is why you want her?”

  Ledock ignored the other elves that were part of their gathering. “I want her because she has been stealing from my woods for years and has become a part of my life. After having directly spoken to her for a few days, I now cannot imagine my life without her.”

  Norem grimaced. “Damn. That is the right answer.”

  Dahlia chuckled. “Can we meet her?”

  “Of course. Tonight our union is official. I must wonder, though, how is it that you came by?”

  Dahlia cocked her head. “We received notice that our granddaughter existed four days ago. We have taken a shuttle and ridden for a day to get this deep into the outland.”

  Norem cleared his throat. “So, when can we meet her?”

  Ledock smiled. “At the ball tonight after we have our first dance.”

  He continued to walk them through the gardens, speaking about his intentions for their bloodline. If he hadn’t been tense at meeting the in-laws, he might have been on guard.

  * * * *

  Adua walked through the gardens, nibbling as she went. Eating nothing but salad for a few days wouldn’t kill her, but she was really going to have to have a chat with the cook about putting drugs in the food. Mind you, she had cooked for herself before, she definitely could do it again.

  She finished her browsing and was heading back to the palace when there was a rushing sound behind her, and something pressed over her mouth. The smell was sweet, and she grimaced as her world was covered in a grey mist. It wasn’t enough to knock her out, but when she was lifted and carried into the woods, she was both petrified and furious. As soon as she could, she was going to scream the forest down.

  She heard the sound of hoofbeats, and she knew that her expression had twisted into a smile. This was about to become a very bad day for the idiot who had captured her.

  Chapter Eight

  When she heard other voices, she was less confident, but she was dropped to the ground when her steed arrived.

  Her horse lashed out at the men who were still nearby, driving them away. Adua grunted and hauled herself to a sitting position.

  She reached out for help, and a tree branch bent and creaked to help her to her feet. Other branches lifted and helped her to her mount’s back, and then, they were off.

  The saddle had changed so that she could ride astride, and it was handy as horses were acquired for the elves behind her, and pursuit began.

  “Take me to my mother.”

  It was closer to the edge of the barrier than
it was to try and loop back to the castle, so her mother’s tree was the only means of protection. She leaned forward and felt the last orb. She looked at her boots and had a thought. Right. If they wanted to come after her, she would give them her best.

  She made a fist and smashed the orb against her skin. The magic swirled out, and she had what she needed.

  Her horse took her through the woods and then bolted through the barrier and across the meadow. Her mother’s tree was glowing gold in the late afternoon sunlight, and when they got near, it projected a glowing barrier of its own.

  Her steed dropped her off and then went for help.

  “Sorry to run to you like this, Mother.”

  The tree shivered, and a branch touched her cheek. Adua got queasy when nine elves rode out of the barrier and came toward her with their blades drawn. They didn’t just want to kidnap her, they wanted her dead.

  Adua crouched and removed her shoes, holding the glass spikes out defensively. If they made it through the shield, she would be ready.

  The first elf reached her, dismounted and charged through, the hand holding his blade snapped back, and he dropped his weapon.

  “Aw, Mom.” Adua watched the elf come toward her, and she lashed at him, her heel slicing through his shirt and sending him stumbling backward, blood pouring from the wound.

  The look of horror on his face was rather satisfying.

  Adua waited for the one that was next.

  * * * *

  Adua should have been awake by now, so Ledock guided his group back toward the castle. The scream of fury from an equine source drew all of their attention, and his blood went cold as he saw Adua’s steed.

  “That’s Adua’s horse.”

  Norem was shocked. “She has a spirit horse?”

  Ledock didn’t answer him. He ran to the horse and swung up into the saddle, urging the horse to take him to Adua.

  There was a flurry of summoning behind him, but he was on his way to his queen.

  The horse took him past the gardens where he saw signs of a short struggle, and he smelled jasmine and apples. “Faster.”

  He summoned his blade and crouched low until his own steed arrived. They burst out of the woods, and he took in the sight of Adua covered in blood, three men down at her feet, and six more trying to get through the barrier that had been erected around her mother’s tree.

  The steed didn’t waver. She was taking him through the barrier around the enchanted forest, and he braced himself for the curse to strike. The horse sailed through it, and the barrier dissipated.

  Ledock didn’t have a chance to wonder, he mowed down three of the men with her steed, his steed trampled two others, and when Ledock was on the ground, he grabbed the last one standing.

  He approached him with a growl. “Why?”

  “She... she can’t be allowed to contaminate us. We will wither and die.” He held up his hands and collapsed when Ledock ran him through.

  “Idiot.”

  Adua was standing inside the protective shield that the tree was projecting. Her face and body were covered in blood. In her hands were the shoes that had transformed with her elegant gown.

  “Adua?”

  She swung her shocked gaze to him. “Ledock. They came for me.”

  “I know, dearest. I want to take you back to the castle so that we can clean you up. Will you let me?”

  She nodded, and he took her into his arms. There was a short flinch, and then, she leaned against him.

  “Let me put your shoes on you, and then, we can get you cleaned up.”

  She nodded against his shoulder. “Yes, please.”

  He smiled and put her hands on his shoulders as he knelt and put her shoes on her feet, one at a time. They were covered in blood, but she smiled when they were on. “Thank you.”

  He took her palm and kissed it. “Anything for you.”

  She looked at the tree and patted the trunk. “Sorry, Mother. I wrecked my dress.”

  There was a chime, and a branch descended with a small ball of golden energy.

  “I will come and visit you tomorrow.” She patted the trunk again.

  Ledock carefully lifted his bride into his arms and walked past the dead to his horse. Norem was on his feet, and he offered to hold Adua for the moment until Ledock was settled. He looked at his granddaughter for the first time, and he smiled. “She looks just like Dahlia but with dark hair.”

  Ledock reached out, and there was only a moment of hesitation before he had Adua in his arms again. He would send loyal men to deal with the dead. He had to work with his bride.

  * * * *

  It took twenty minutes to return to the castle. He carried her directly through the ballroom, blood still dripping from her shoes. The gathering froze. The mood uncertain. Adua felt bad, but she was just so relieved to be back where she considered herself safe that she couldn’t bring herself to care. She also knew that Ledock was making a point. No one was going to be able to pretend that this hadn’t happened. She cradled the orb that her mother had given her, and that seemed to garner more attention than the blood.

  He walked up the steps and murmured, “Are you injured?”

  She shook her head. “No. I am fine.”

  He nodded, his jaw flexing. He carried her down the hall and into his private wing.

  “I am messing up the floors.”

  He made a small sound. “The castle will take care of it.”

  “It’s alive?”

  “Of course, it is. Everything here is. The walls, gardens, everything.”

  When they arrived at his chambers, he walked into the bathing room and set her on her feet. He put the orb aside, eased her gown off her shoulders, and it slid to the floor with a sodden thud. He helped her out of her shoes, and then, he stripped himself.

  He walked her to the back of the room, and a small item protruded from the wall. He touched the wall, and a cascade of water came out. He held her and helped her wash the blood off every place that it had stuck.

  He even knelt and helped her get the blood off the bottom of her feet.

  When she was blood-free, he quickly scrubbed the blood from his face, neck, chest, and thighs.

  She observed, “It does get everywhere.”

  He nodded and pulled her to him. “It does. Are you sure you aren’t injured?”

  She laughed. “You just went over every inch of me twice. You know I am fine.”

  He said softly, “Perhaps, I should check again.”

  “Don’t you have to start the party?”

  He groaned. “I am really not in a party mood.”

  “Tough. We go. We dance. We make a run for some privacy.” She stroked his cheek.

  He smiled and kissed her. “It sounds like a plan. You aren’t sore?”

  She laughed. “I am, but it isn’t a bad thing. I think it is something I might enjoy getting used to.”

  His eyes glowed, and he kissed her again before he lifted his head. “Oh, your grandparents are here.”

  She looked around with wide eyes. “Where?”

  “They are probably with your mother’s tree. I believe they followed me there.”

  “Ah. I feel bad about the blood. Wait, how did you get there? The barrier was far back today.”

  He smoothed a hand down her back. “Don’t worry about it. I made it to you, and that is what matters.”

  Adua smiled and sighed. “I suppose we should get dressed now.”

  He tucked her against him and sighed. “Just a few more minutes.”

  They stood together, and there was a comfortable silence until they both sighed. There was a ballroom full of waiting people, and tonight was the final night.

  She sighed. “One last night.”

  He smiled. “One last night and then the rest of our lives.”

  She looked up and grinned. “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  She chuckled. “Well, then, you had better get some trousers on.”

  He chuckled, and the
n, they parted to dry off and get dressed. He found her another gown of a darker fabric but a similar design. She grabbed her shoes and washed off the blood before she took the orb in her hands.

  She stepped into the shoes and pressed the orb to her chest. The reaction of the energy inside was... violent.

  Adua was lifted off her feet, and the glow burrowed into her, ran under her skin, and shone light out her pores. Her hair moved, her ears burned, and her body was humming. When the light set her down, she was standing in a dark blue gown, and she could feel something on her head.

  She moved carefully and found a mirror. She was wearing the night sky, and stars were sparkling in her hair, up and out of the way to display the newly peaked tips of her ears.

  “What the hell?”

  Ledock was covering his mouth with his hand. His eyes were dancing.

  She frowned and grabbed one of her ears before he could say, “Don’t do that!”

  Her knees buckled. It was searing pain. “What the hell?”

  She had released her ear immediately.

  “They are extremely sensitive.” He smiled. “I have never seen someone do that before.”

  She cupped a hand over her ear and pouted. “I didn’t know that. Do you think they will disappear at midnight?”

  He shrugged. “It is your mother’s energy, and it is strong. It might wear off; it might not.”

  He pulled her hand away and blew a stream of air over the tip of her ear. Her knees wobbled. “What is that?”

  He moved closer and trailed the tip of his tongue over the point of her ear, and it was like he was touching her between the thighs. She squeaked.

  “What is that?”

  He chuckled. “Ears are a very sensitive thing for some of us. Apparently, you are one of the lucky ones.”

  She gave him a black look. “Lucky? This is... there are... they are not supposed to feel like that!”

  He laughed and shrugged into his outer robe. “As the last few days have demonstrated, sex is a very important part of our culture.”